Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


Medicare Makes Aduhelm Decision, Possible Reduction in B premiums
January 13, 2022

As elder law attorneys, we frequently assist individuals and families with the complicated legal and financial issues arising from an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Naturally, we have been paying close attention to the fate of Aduhelm, the new Alzheimer’s drug from Biogen….

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power of attorney
Your Power of Attorney Is Not Enough for Medicare, Social Security
February 28, 2021

You may be surprised to learn that Medicare and Social Security will not automatically honor your Durable Power of Attorney or Health Care Surrogate. These are powerful legal documents that everyone should have in their planning toolkit, but when it…

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medicare premiums
Medicare B Premiums Can Give Sticker Shock to High Earning Seniors
December 29, 2020

Medicare Part B covers doctors’ fees. The basic Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $148.50 in January 2021. However, many high-earning seniors do not realize that their Medicare Part B premiums will be higher than that – in some…

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Social Security Card
Social Security Announces 2021 Cost of Living Adjustment
October 14, 2020

The Social Security annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021 has been announced: 1.3%. This is among the smallest increases ever, and the smallest since 2017. According to the Social Security Administration, the 1.3% increase will translate to an additional $20 for…

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2020 Social Security Benefits Increase
October 11, 2019

Americans collecting Social Security benefits are slated to receive a cost of living increase in 2020. Benefits will increase by 1.6%. The average retiree’s monthly benefit will increase about $24, from $1,473 to to $1,503. Also, the Social Security tax…

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Blue Water Vets Still Waiting For Benefits
September 22, 2019

The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act became law  on June 25, 2019, making Blue Water veterans eligible for disability benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. For decades, veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam argued that, like those who served…

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Medicare Offers New Plan Finder For Open Enrollment
September 8, 2019

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period begins October 15, 2019 and runs through December 7, 2019.  During this time, you may switch to a Medicare Advantage plan or from one Medicare Advantage plan to another; and from one Medicare Part D…

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Medicare Beneficiaries, Do You Know The Difference Between A Wellness Visit And A Physical?
Medicare Beneficiaries, Do You Know The Difference Between A Wellness Visit And A Physical?
June 11, 2019

Stories have recently appeared in the press about Medicare beneficiaries blindsided by fees for physical exams they expected to be free of charge. The cause: patients failed to understand the difference between a physical exam and Medicare’s Free Annual Wellness…

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medicare
CHRONIC Act expands coverage for Medicare Advantage enrollees with chronic illnesses
July 24, 2018

Beginning in 2020, people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans who have chronic illnesses will be covered for certain supplies and services not previously covered. Examples include bathroom grab bars and wheelchair ramps; and services such as home meal delivery, at-home…

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medicare card
New Medicare Cards Are Coming (And Bringing Along New Scams, Of Course)
February 9, 2018

New Medicare cards are on the way. Starting in April 2018, new Medicare cards will be mailed to 60 million Medicare beneficiaries. Mandated by the Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act of 2015, the new cards will not display your…

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